Main trade-off
Thule Motion 3 XL
It needs more hatch clearance than many medium boxes.
Head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XL vs SkyBox NX 18: Motion takes 196–200 cm skis, Yakima keeps the body slightly shorter
The short answer
Choose Motion 3 XL for skis from 196 to 200 cm or a narrower shell. Choose SkyBox NX XL when its flat floor and slightly shorter exterior suit the luggage and vehicle.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Five centimeters can be a hard fit boundary
Motion extends the published ski maximum from 195 to 200 cm.
What this is based on
200 - 195 = 5 cm. A 198 cm ski exceeds Yakima guidance by 3 cm.
Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Its 195 cm ski limit is just short of 200 cm Nordic skis.
Thule Motion 3 XL
- Choose it for
- Your skis measure from 196 to 200 cm
- Your approved rack and vehicle arrangement benefits from the narrower shell
- Main trade-off
- It needs more hatch clearance than many medium boxes.
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Choose it for
- Your gear fits within 195 cm
- You prefer Yakima flat-floor packing and its torque knob
- Main trade-off
- Its 195 cm ski limit is just short of 200 cm Nordic skis.
About this comparison
Compare Motion 3 XL and SkyBox NX XL by their 200 and 195 cm ski limits, exterior proportions, mounting workflow and empty weight.
Choose Motion 3 XL for skis from 196 to 200 cm or a narrower shell. Choose SkyBox NX XL when its flat floor and slightly shorter exterior suit the luggage and vehicle.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Your skis are longer than 195 cm and no longer than 200 cm
Motion extends the stated maximum from 195 to 200 cm.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
Your skis fit 195 cm and the shorter shell matters
SkyBox is 0.7 inch shorter outside. Check actual hatch travel before treating that small difference as decisive.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Better fit
You need a little more width left on the crossbars
Motion is one inch narrower outside while both list 18 cubic feet. Check clamp placement and adjacent accessory clearance before assuming both fit.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
Your skis are longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm and a lower profile matters
Motion 3 XXL Low lists a 215 cm ski allowance and 13 inches above the bars. Its longer footprint needs a new hatch and rack check.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Five centimeters can be a hard fit boundary
Motion extends the published ski maximum from 195 to 200 cm.
How we reached this conclusion
200 - 195 = 5 cm. A 198 cm ski exceeds Yakima guidance by 3 cm.
The longer Thule is also narrower
Motion is 0.7 inches longer and one inch narrower outside.
How we reached this conclusion
84.7 - 84 = 0.7 inches. 36 - 35 = 1 inch.
Resolve the box weight before loading near the roof limit
Both advertise 18 cubic feet, but that does not establish your car's luggage allowance. Motion's empty weights conflict. If the rack, box and luggage approach the vehicle limit, confirm the supplied weight before choosing it on a claimed two-pound saving.
How we reached this conclusion
Thule lists 51 lb on its page and prints 52.7 lb in its manual. Yakima lists 53 lb. No exact difference is selected. Rack, box and cargo count toward the roof limit.
Choice A
Thule, Motion 3 XL Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XL
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 200 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Your skis measure from 196 to 200 cm
Checked facts
- Maximum ski length: 200 cm
- Exterior length: 84.7 in
- Exterior width: 35 in
- Exterior height: 17 in
Choice B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 18 XL
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 195 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Your gear fits within 195 cm
Checked facts
- Maximum ski length: 195 cm
- Exterior length: 84 in
- Exterior width: 36 in
- Exterior height: 16.5 in
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Motion 3 XL | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum ski length | 200 cm | 195 cm | A ski longer than this documented limit needs a different carrier. |
| Exterior length | 84.7 in | 84 in | Check roof placement, hatch movement and storage space for the shell. |
| Exterior width | 35 in | 36 in | The narrower shell may leave different room, but clamp placement and clearance to an adjacent accessory still need checking. |
| Exterior height | 17 in | 16.5 in | Overall shell height helps compare bulk but cannot establish installed garage clearance. |
| Empty box weight | 51 lb on product page, 52.7 lb printed in manual | 53 lb | Confirm the supplied Motion weight before calculating remaining roof payload. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Motion 3 XL
- Confirm the supplied empty weight where a roof-load limit is close.
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Its wider outer shell needs a separate rack and accessory-clearance check.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
My skis measure 198 cm
Choose Thule Motion 3 XL. Motion's 200 cm limit covers that length. Yakima's 195 cm limit does not.
Your skis are longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm and a lower profile matters
Choose neither. Motion 3 XXL Low provides a 215 cm allowance and 13 inches above the bars. Confirm its longer footprint, rack fit and actual garage clearance.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Five centimeters can be a hard fit boundary
For skis near the limit, use the stated ski allowance rather than subtracting wall thickness from the exterior length. A bag and bindings can still affect the practical fit. Shorter equipment leaves this pair to be decided by vehicle geometry and packing.
The longer Thule is also narrower
A small exterior difference can matter alongside another roof accessory. It cannot replace the hatch chart because clamp placement changes where the shell sits. Use the dimensions to narrow the choice, then validate the exact vehicle and rack.
Resolve the load before counting the volume
The shared volume does not guarantee a rigid-case layout or cargo allowance. Thule's page and manual disagree on some interior dimensions and empty weight. Confirm the supplied box before loading near a roof limit. Yakima's flat floor remains a packing feature, while an exact two-pound lifting advantage is not established.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Cargo dimensions and manufacturer load ratings cannot predict wind noise, fuel use or how a particular bag packs around mounting hardware.
- Thule documents disagree on some interior dimensions and empty weight. No exact two-pound saving is established.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current roof cargo boxes comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Motion 3 XL |
|
| |
| Yakima SkyBox NX XL |
|
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Motion 3 XL
Your skis measure from 196 to 200 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
Your gear fits within 195 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.